Shop front of Walter Mace Clark's general clothing store in Oxford Street, Levin, photographed circa 1898 by an unidentified photographer. Shows a one storied wooden building with a group standing on the verandah. From left to right: William Clark, b 1830, Walter Mace Clark, Frank Phillips, Maud (Mrs W M Clark), and her daughter Edna. The sign above reads: Established 1894. W M Clark. Direct importer. Draper, clothier, boots and shoes.

Source: Alexander Turnbull Library (online)

Photograph of Te Aro House, Levin, 1880s

From Alexander Turnbull Library - Reference Number: 1/2-092986-G

Photograph of Te Aro House Levin, premises of James Smith and Co. Two adult men, a boy, and three girls are standing in a line in front of the building. Photographed by an unknown photographer in the 1880s.

Possibly Chemist in Levin - mentioned in article on the Great Levin Fire of 1898 - loss of stock valued at £500 (not insured).

In Alexander Turnbull Library there is a photo of Levy's Pharmacy (Ernest F Levy) in Whakatane in the 1920s - possibly the same person?

Walter Mace Clark and William Clark outside W.M. Clark Drapers in Oxford Street, Levin.

From the collection of the Alexander Turnbull Library (http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=39287).

Cow Rugs! Horse Rugs!

Good quality Rugs at reasonable prices may be obtained from.
J.W. Middlemiss, Queen Street, Levin.

Repairs, A Specialty.

J.W. Middlemiss,

Saddler & Harnessmaker, Queen Street, LEVIN

H.C. Sheargold

ia at the Top of the Hill instead of the Bottom.

And begs to notify his esteemed customers that he has now a fresh and clean stock in the Store at the top of the hill (Late Irvine's Store) and will be delighted to wait upon old and new Clients.

H.C. Sheargold. S.P.Q.R. Store, Ohau

The Chroicle advertised that:

"The Chronicle is now delivered daily by motor cyclist, ensuring early and quick despatch over a wider area than ordinary. Residents of the outlying districts should [ unclear ] this change.

If the measure of support accorded to this venture justifies the change it will be permanently established."

Located in Oxford Street, Levin.

WITHOUT THE TIME

To be without the time for months puts
one to considerable inconvenience, but NOW
you can have your watch or clock overhauled
in your own town within a week by
PRACTICAL Watchmakers, and guaran-
teed for twek\lve months (IN WRITING,) to
keep accurate time.

Winchester & Williams
The Watchmakers,

Oxford Street,

LEVIN

All Postal orders receive our personal attention.

"WANTED KNOWN

Another 200 Jap Mats at 1s each just arrived.

The last 200 sold in four days, so if you want
to secure these bargain mats you will have to
act quickly. Only at Stiles and Matheson, Ltd.,
Levin and Foxton."

The' Bowler' Shape Felt Hat is the latest for Ladies.

A fine range showing in white, green, fawn, brown, .... grey and navy.

Only at Stiles and Matheson, Ltd.,
Levin and Foxton."

Shrewd buyers are purchasing their blankets, flannels,
underclothing, hoisery, and all woolen goods now..

We strongly advise you to do the same.

Stiles and Matheson, Ltd.,
Levin and Foxton."

"we are out for your trade!"

"It pays to pay cash"

Offered a variety of goods including: sheeps Tongues, Golden Bee Jam, Brightshine Floor Polish, Carbolic Powder, Feed Oats and Flour

N.C. Holdaway, The Carriage and Motor Works

has new and second-hand cars for sale.

Horse Vehicles built to order, or repaired, painted and trimmed.

A few Second Hand Vehicles for sale cheap.

Overland Cars Hupmobile Cars Buick Cars Hilman Cars

"William Storey Sash and Door Factory, Seddon Street, Weraroa, Levin.

A large stock of doors and sashes always on hand. All kinds of joinery made on the shortest notice. Write for quotations, or ring on 'phone ... "

Ernest F Levy was a chemist in Levin in 1898 when fire destroyed the shop he occupied destroying the shop. Mr Levy's stock valued at £500 was destroyed. It was not insured.

P. Bartholomew & Co. Ltd.,

Sawmiller and Timber Merchant,

Weraroa (Levin)

Seasoned timber and mouldings of all kinds always on hand.

G.K. Douglas Ltd.

Builder and Contractor.

Plans and Specifications Prepared.

Plans and Specifications Prepared.

______________

AMNER'S NAPIER LIME - 6s per sk
Cash ; Ss booked.

_______________

Agent for-
Wellington Monumental Works.

... W. McGill and Sons. Proprietors.

"Summer Clad from Head to Heel with Jaeger.

Every garment you require can be obtained in JAEGER PURE WOOL

and the same sound reasons of quality, comfort and economy which make it best for Underwear, also make it best for Outerwear.

Jaeger Specialties for Ladies include:-
Underwear, Nightwear, Corsets, Hoisery, Dressing Jackets, Knitted Coats

Jaeger Specialties for Meninclude:-
Underwear, Pyjamas, Shirts, Hoisery, Golf Jackets, Sweaters, Coats

Leading Drapers and Clothiers.

Talk golf around Levin and the name Clark must come up.

Look down the main street and one of the most promi­nent business signs you see in town has the name Clark on it.

It has been there since 1894.

It was in that year that Wil­liam Mace Clark bought out the business of Te Aro House, Wellington, that, two years previously, he had come here to manage.

Two sons, Bill, now 84, and Elsdon, now 81, took over the business in 1934 and a grandson, Brian Campbell, now manages William Clark and Son.

The connection with golf began in 1911 when the late Mr W.M. Clark became in­terested in the sport and helped form a club here.

Bill Clark started playing at the age of 13.

His prowess on the course is legend as his many trophies and inscriptions on the club championship board will attest.

He was born in Granny Retter's nursing home (where the Oxford Hotel now stands) in a house later moved to Waitarere Beach for use by the RSA.

During World War 1 he served with the NZ Machinegun Company and was invalided out of Pachen-dale. He played rugby and was selected in a trial team to pick a side to go to England from France. On his return from the war, he joined his father's business.

ELSDON

Mr W.M. Clark's other son Elsdon was born in the old homestead at 51 Saulisbury Street in August, 1899.

He went to kindergarten school, run by the daughter of a local chemist, situated at the corner of Saulisbury and Queen streets. He finished his education in Levin and en­tered his father's business in 1914 at the commencement of World War I.

In 1919, Elsdon went to Chicago to attend a school of show card writing and win­dow dressing and moved on to San Francisco where he worked in the Emporium dry goods store for 12 months, returning to his father's busi­ness in 1920.

In 1923, Elsdon left Levin again, this time travelling with a companion and working his way through Canada. He worked for the British Colum­bia Electricity Company and then went on to Sascatchewen to help bring in the 1923 wheat harvest. He went on to San Francisco where he again worked in the Em­porium before returning to 'Levin.

Working in his father's bus­iness, he married Blanche Elma Reeve in 1927.

WALKING FEATS

Fond of mountaineering and tramping, Elsdon thought nothing of walking from Levin

a companion and working his to Feilding in a day and on another occasion walked from Levin to Paekakariki one day, then on to Plimmerston the next 'day. _He recalls he walked to Shannon on 27 oc­casions, using the rail track for part of the way.

Aged 42 in 1942, Elsdon joined the armed services and, although older than most of the men then in camp, survived the tough training schedule. He was posted to the 10th Field Am­bulance Unit.

Golf was also Elsdon's in­terest and he won the Levin championship twice and the Otaki championship once. He is also a life member of the Levin golf club. Elsdon played a large part in the development of the Moutere course and on fact gave up golf for six years while it was developed.

With the death of his wife, their property was passed to the Presbyterian Social Ser­vices Association for, the es­tablishment of Reevedon Home. The name Reevedon is a combination of his late wife's maiden name of Reeve and Elsdon.

Three years after his wife's death, Elsdon married Thelma Kilsby and is cur­rently living at Linton.